Pocahontas stuns top-seeded Nashville in clock‑chewing playoff upset

Pocahontas 32, Nashville 13

POCAHONTAS — Pocahontas milked the clock and the moment, stunning top-seeded Nashville 32–13 in a first-round game Friday at Scrapper Stadium.

Quarterback Spencer James powered the Redskins with two 1‑yard touchdown keepers and a pair of deep scoring strikes to receiver Mason Priest, who repeatedly found space against single coverage. The visitors’ physical front set the tone from the opening kickoff and protected a 20–6 lead by stringing together patient, chain‑moving drives.

Nashville answered behind a spark from junior quarterback DJ Jefferson, who slid from receiver back to QB and fired a touchdown to sophomore Jacoby Hopson. Earlier, junior Bryce Perrin punched in a goal‑line score after a long run. Defensively, senior end Makhi “MJ” Johnson produced a drive‑stopping sack, and seniors Hayden Gray and Davonte “DB” Gilliam were active in the secondary.

The turning point came late in the third quarter: after Jefferson’s scoring toss cut the margin to 20–13, Pocahontas answered with another James‑to‑Priest strike, then bled the fourth‑quarter clock before James’s short plunge put it out of reach. The Redskins also forced three Nashville turnovers and converted a pivotal fourth‑and‑long heave to the 1 in the opening quarter.

Despite the loss, Nashville’s season included a 7–0 conference run and the program’s best overall mark in several years. The Scrappers’ two‑QB platoon, emerging skill talent and a persistent defense showed again Friday; Pocahontas simply owned the pace and the line of scrimmage. Both teams traded heavy hits and field position in a tightly officiated game under lights.

Scoring Summary

1st Quarter
Pocahontas – Xavyer Ballard 1‑yd run (2‑pt run failed), POC 6–0.
Pocahontas – Spencer James 1‑yd run (2‑pt pass good), POC 14–0.
Nashville – Bryce Perrin 1‑yd run (kick failed), POC 14–6.

3rd Quarter
Pocahontas – Mason Priest pass from Spencer James (kick failed), POC 20–6.
Nashville – Jacoby Hopson pass from DJ Jefferson (kick good), POC 20–13.
Pocahontas – Mason Priest pass from Spencer James (2‑pt pass failed), POC 26–13.

4th Quarter
Pocahontas – Spencer James 1‑yd run (2‑pt run failed), POC 32–13.

Players who stood out

• Spencer James, QB (Pocahontas) — 4 total TDs (2 rush, 2 pass).

• Mason Priest, WR/CB (Pocahontas) — two long TD receptions, consistent chain‑mover.

• DJ Jefferson, QB (Nashville) — TD pass, extended plays with his legs.

• Bryce Perrin, OLB/FS (Nashville) — short rushing TD; two‑way impact.

• Makhi “MJ” Johnson, DE (Nashville) — sack and backfield pressure.